Locomotive draft inducer



Sept. 422', 1931. L. G. KUNZER LQGOMOTIVE DRAFT INDUCEH Filed Aug. 1, 1927 4 .w ATM/23 Patented Sept. 22, 1931 i* narran orties LOUIS G. KUNZER, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOISV LocoMorIvn DRAFT INnUcna Y Application mea August 1, 1927. serial No. 209,742.

YMy invention relates to locomotive draft inducers for creating a draft while starting res in locomotive boilers.

The principal object of the invention is 5 the production of an improved draft inducer for starting locomotive lires.

Another object is to produce a portable locomotive draft inducerf operated by either steam or air. 0 Another object is to produce a locomotive draft inducer wherein the maximum elliciency is obtained with a minimum expenditure of steam, air or other fluid.r

In a specific form of the invention, a selfcentering inverted cone is adapted to seat itself on the usual exhaust nozzle tip. The cone has a transverse pipe with a steam or air line connected therewith at one end thereof and an exhaust nipple or tip in the center 0 air.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the detailed description taken with 5 the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a sectional view through the locomotive stack and smoke box showing the invention applied thereto; y f

Fig. 2 is a plan section along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, and n Y Fig. 3 is a sectional View along the line 3-3 of F ig. 2.

In the accompanying drawings only enough locomotive structure is shown to illustrate the manner of using the invention. The smoke box 10 has the front., 11 of the lues communicating therewith through which the hot gases of the locomotive are drawn and discharged through a stack 12 suitably positioned in the upper part of the smoke box. An exhaust nozzle 13 at the bottom of the smoke box isprovided with an exhaust tip l'tthrough which steam from the cylinders during the operation of a locomotive is discharged to induce a force draft through the ues in a manner well known to those acquainted with this art.

In most locomotives, a steam pipe runs through the smoke boxand has an exhaust thereof for producing a draft of steam or opening close to the exhaust nozzle so that whenthe locomotive is standing still, a draft may be induced by turning steam through this pipe. This pipe is known generally as the blower. In starting a fire in the locomotive, it isA customary to blow live steam through this blower to facilitate the starting of the lires. My invention does away ith the use ofthe blower and induces a draft more economically and with a great deal less volume ofsteam or air.

My draft `inducer comprises an inverted cone 16 having a pipe 17 disposed trans versely inthe base thereof with a discharge pipe 18 positioned at the center and an intake line 19 at one side. The intake line is adapted vto extend up through the top of the stack and connect to a suitable hose connection (not shown) and it also serves as a handle whereby the cone may be seated within the top of the exhaust nozzle or be removed therefrom when the portable inducer is no longer required. Locomotives in which lignite coal is used have a bar 21 across the exhaust tip known as an exhaust tip bridge. In order to permit the cone to be seated on this type of exhaust tip as well as on the standard type,I provide a vertical slot 22V into which the'exhaust tip bridge extends when the cone is placed in position.

The cone formation of the inducer permits the use thereof on all locomotives, the sloping sides of the cone compensating for differences of diameter of the exhaust tip. No matter what Lthe size of the locomotive or the exhaust tip, thev discharge pipe will always be in the center, that is coinciding with the axis of the stack.` This discharge pipe may be-left open at the end but I have obtained the best results by employing a discharge tip 23 suitably secured to the end thereof' and having a restricted passagewayY 24 in the center, so that a narrow stream of air of relatively high velocity is formed.

I `have found that the distance of the diss charge tip` from the bottom of the stack has a very great deal to do with the amount of draft inducedfor ak givenv volume of air. Instead of attempting to determine the best positionr foreach locomotive as it is fired, I

have adopted a standard length of discharge pipe which projects only a slight distance above the usual exhaust tip. ln this way, I make use of the design of the locomotive, since obviously the exhaust tip of the locomotive will have been positioned a proper distance from the bottom of the stack.

Although the specific structure herein described, suits the purpose very well and is in fact the `preferred of several forms which I have constructed while developing the invention, it is obvious that the objects may be accomplished by the employment of a different structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. To secure the best results the portable discharge pipe or tip should be along` the axis of the stack, and aV sufiicient distance below the same so that the greatest benefit in the fire box will result from the 'volume of iluid employed.

Tvihat l claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters vPatent is:

l. A portable draft inducer for the purpose described comprising an inverted cone, a pipe secured near the base of the cone transverse thereof and having its ends sealed, an exhaust tip connected to said transverse pipe at the center thereof and a supply pipe connected to said transverse pipe near the end thereof.

2. A portable draft inducer adapted to be used instead of the exhaust nozzle for inducing a draft while starting a re in a locomotive boiler, said draft inducer including an inverted cone adapted to be seated on said exhaust nozzle, a discharge pipe projecting vertically from the center of the inverted cone and an intake pipe connected to the cone and communicating with the discharge pipe for supplying fluid pressure to said pipe and serving 'as a handle to insert the inducer through the top of a locomotive stack. Y Y

8. A portable draft inducer adapted to be used instead of the exhaust nozzle forinducing a draft while starting a fire in a locomotive boiler, said draft inducer including an inverted cone adapted to be seated on said exhaust nozzle, a discharge pipe projecting vertically from the center of the inverted cone and an intake pipe connected to the cone and communicating with the diso1 pipe for supplying ifiuid pressure to pine and serving as a handle to insert the inducer through the top of a locomotive stack, a lower vertical slot being provided in the cone so that the inducer may be used to lire locomotives equipped with an exhaust tip bridge, the' bridge extending into said vertical slot when the draft inducer is in position for use.

4l. A portable draft inducer for use in lieu of the usual exhaust nozzle or blower to induce a draft in a locomotive fire box while starting a fire therein, said draft inducer comprising an inverted cone adapted to be seated on the exhaust nozzle, a transverse pipe near the base thereof, a relatively long steam intake pipe connected to the transverse pipe for supplying steam thereto and also to serve as a handle for placingthe inducer on the exhaust nozzle through the locomotive stack, a steam discharge pipe connected to the transverse pipe, and a discharge tip on said pipe. Y`

5. A portable draft inducer designed to be inserted through a locomotive stack to take the place of the usual exhaust nozzle during preliminary firing of the locomotive, said draft inducer including an exhaust tip, means cooperating with the exhaust nozzle for supporting the exhaust tip substantially centrally positioned on said exhaust nozzle, and an intake line extending from said supporting means up through the locomotive stack when the exhaust tip is in position, so that said tip may be readily introduced and withdrawn through said stack.

ln witness whereof, l hereunto subscribe my name this 2nd day'orn July, 1927.

LOUIS G. KUNZER.

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